Hi all, Rosalind and I are aware that we’ve not posted in almost 2 weeks. Rosalind had some personal matters to attend to last week – she’s ok – and I’ve been swamped with a couple of extra projects, one planned and one not. So, though we hold you in our minds and our commitment to post weekly, we’ve just not had the capacity for full blown posts.
If there’s anything my illness taught me, it was to pace myself and know when enough is enough, and that all will be ok, even if I don’t always do what I planned to do. About an hour ago I was sitting in a cafe plugging away to prepare for my Dare to Automate teleseminar tomorrow, and I ran out of steam. So I stopped. I felt my body say, “OK, that’s it Joan!” (Have you noticed greater atunement to your body too?) I packed my stuff and came home.
And, then I remembered I told Rosalind I’d post tonight. So I sit with my laptop back on my sofa and write what’s on my mind and share what’s going on at this moment rather than craft the message I had planned.
When your body says “no more,” do you pay closer attention than you used to? I’ve learned that needs tending will be there when I’m ready, and some seemingly pressing commitments often fall away.
Joan
If you don’t listen to your body when it first tells you to slow down, you can get too sick to listen and you’ll keep plugging on even if you’re in danger of doing something permanently damaging to your health and/or your work! It’s imperative to know when to stop or back off. The harm you do to yourself and those around you if you keep going when you shouldn’t might not seem big at the time, but it will add up.
I’m glad you listened to your budy. The example you set by doing so is more important than the actual post, I believe!
Amy, you always have such thoughtful comments and I appreciate you for taking time to post.
In my post I didn’t mention that I’m a morning person, and so I also knew that I could finish up important work early when my body and brain are fresh.
I not only have MS, but am the primary caretaker for my spouse and work fulltime also. I find it diffcult to always be able to listen to my body. I know that there are times when I do run out of steam or need to spend the weekend “napping” but too much counts on me. I don’t always now how to reconcile this, but I try!
ali
Since getting RSD I have definitely learned to stop when, and even sometimes before, my body starts telling me I am done. I am very blessed to have a strong family unit that understands that when I say I am over they say ok. God bless family.
Glad to know you are truly paying attention.
This is a good reminder to listen to our bodies and that voice inside that is telling us to slow it down. I’m not a morning person by nature
, but I’ve been re-making myself into that for my kids. They are 5 and 4 and need to be at school early. If I’m rushed and rush them it makes it for a bad day for all. So, I’ve decided to wake up extra early and get myself up and going and fully awake and functioning before I even get them up, so that when I do it isn’t rushed, but pleasant.
It’s been hard for me and you’re post reminds me that I’m not wonderwoman and I’ve got to listen that something inside when it speaks up!
Thanks for sharing.
What if Wonderwoman has strong boundaries when she needs them, is aware of her limitations, and has learned to make moment-by-moment decisions about her priorities as different scenarios arise ? I read all three in the comments posted by Ali, Bella and Christine.
My hat is off to all of you.
Joan